Breastfeeding bill passes the House

July 22, 2008 08:18 PM
By Globe Staff

Women who want to breastfeed their babies at the restaurant, the store, or in the park would get protection from being hassled under a bill passed today by the Massachusetts House.

The bill makes it clear that women who are breastfeeding can't be charged with crimes such as indecent exposure or lewd and lascivious conduct, said Representative David Linsky, the Natick Democrat who championed the bill. It also makes it clear that places of public accommodation, such as restaurants, hotels, or stores -- cannot prevent women from breastfeeding their children or tell them to leave the premises.

Supporters say Massachusetts is one of only three states that don't have such a law.

The bill will now go to the Senate, where a slightly different version has already passed, said Linsky.

Linsky said he hoped the House and Senate could resolve the differences between the two versions by the end of the session and send legislation to the governor's desk.